Māngere: Home of NZ's strongest woman
Story by Sancy Prabhakar
Māngere East local Kesa Fifita has achieved an incredible feat, winning the title of New Zealand's Strongest Woman 2026 in her very first Strongwoman competition. For Fifita, the victory was both exciting and unexpected, especially considering she has been involved in the sport for less than a year.
When she realised she had won, Fifita said she was in complete shock.
"It was my debut competition, so to walk away as New Zealand's Strongest Woman 2026 was something I never imagined would happen so quickly."
Although she now holds a national title, Fifita remains proud of her roots.
Growing up in Māngere East surrounded by family and cousins, she says her community and Tongan culture have shaped who she is today. As a proud Tongan woman, she hopes her success will inspire others, particularly young Pacific women, to believe in themselves and pursue their goals.
Fifita's journey into Strongwoman began through her love of training and challenging herself physically. She was drawn to the sport because it required both physical and mental strength, pushing athletes to discover what they are truly capable of. While she always enjoyed setting new challenges for herself, she never expected to reach the top of the sport so quickly.
Despite her success, the journey has not been without challenges. One of the biggest obstacles she faced was learning to trust herself and believe in her own abilities. The demands of training, combined with balancing responsibilities outside the gym, tested her determination. However, she remained focused on her goals and committed to the process.
A major factor behind her success has been the support of those around her. Fifita credits her coach, partner, family, friends and wider community for helping her reach the national stage. She is especially grateful to the people who supported her journey through donations, messages of encouragement and unwavering belief in her potential.
Looking ahead, Fifita hopes to continue growing as an athlete and competing at a higher level. She also wants to use her platform to represent Māngere East and her Tongan heritage with pride. More importantly, she hopes her story encourages young girls to dream big and have confidence in themselves.
"Where you come from doesn't limit where you can go," she said. "Be proud of who you are, stay true to yourself, and never be afraid to chase your dreams."
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